Search Results

The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More Supporting SEPAGs: Practical Guidance for District Leaders RESOURCE DESCRIPTION Supporting SEPAGs: Practical Guidance for District Leaders convened district leaders from across New Jersey on June 2nd, 2026 to explore strategies for strengthening family engagement through SEPAGs. Topics: SEPAG Development, Parent Engagement Best For: SEPAG Leaders (District) < BACK TO RESOURCES About the Event Supporting SEPAGs: Practical Guidance for District Leaders provided district leaders with practical strategies for supporting effective and sustainable Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs). The webinar focused on three key areas: increasing parent engagement, gathering meaningful input from parents and community members, and building systems that support long-term sustainability and trust. Drawing directly from The BRIDGE Initiative’s research and direct work with these groups, the session highlighted ways districts can strengthen family engagement even when formal parent leadership structures are still developing. Download Recap in English Bajar El Resumen en Español SHARE THIS RESOURCE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

The BRIDGE Initiative offers a free, statewide portal with plain-language tools, training, and partnerships that help families and schools collaborate on IEPs, inclusion, literacy, and NJTSS. The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More The BRIDGE Initiative Helping Families and Schools Work Together ABOUT THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities The Building Resources for Inclusive Development and Growth in Education (BRIDGE) Initiative is a new partnership between Rutgers University and the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education. It promotes strong partnerships between families and schools to help students with disabilities make steady progress towards their learning goals. The BRIDGE Initiative's work is centered around: SEPAG Development, Improvement, and Sustainability Family and School Literacy Partnerships NJTSS Understanding and Home Support There are many resources about special education and family engagement, but it can be hard to know what you need, what to trust, and how to use it. BRIDGE brings the best materials together in one place. Our team curates, creates, and organizes high-quality resources so you can easily find what works and get support in putting it to practice. UPCOMING EVENTS Join us for upcoming webinars, workshops, and learning opportunities. BRIDGE events bring together families, educators, and district leaders to share strategies, build connections, and strengthen support for students across New Jersey. See All Events OUR MAJOR FOCUS AREAS SEPAG Development, Growth, and Sustainability Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, and input between families and school districts on matters affecting students with disabilities. The BRIDGE Initiative supports both district and parent leaders and makes free resources available online. QUICK ACCESS Join Our Mailing List Follow us on X Book a SEPAG Office Hour See Upcoming Events Access Free Resources FEATURED RESOURCES Explore guides, toolkits, and strategies designed to support families and educators. Our resources provide practical information on special education, SEPAGs, literacy, NJTSS, and family engagement that you can use right away. Resource Library Webinar Supporting SEPAGs: Practical Guidance for District Leaders One-Pager What is a SEPAG? Guide SEPAG Development Parent Starter Kit FROM THE BLOG Literacy Making Reading Time Count: How to Choose the Right Book Mental Health Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: Moving from Awareness to Action Special Education Meaningful Supports for Students with ASD SEPAGs Understanding SEPAGs: A Simple Guide for Parents and Communities FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES For SEPAGs : Direct Support & Training The BRIDGE Initiative provides assistance to parent and district-affiliated SEPAG leaders including leadership training, meeting planning and facilitation, resource development, and strategies for growing membership. We also work to cultivate and support parent leadership opportunities within groups. The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

The BRIDGE Portal is an online library of high-quality materials and training for parents and educators around meaningful parent engagement in special education. The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More Resource Portal FILTER RESOURCES Resource Area All Home Reinforcement NJTSS SEPAGs Type Activity Brief Guide Office Hour One-Pager Tech Help Templates Webinar Audience Educators Parents/Caregivers SEPAG Leaders (District) SEPAG Leaders (Parents) Topic Home Activities Literacy Support NJTSS Parent Engagement Reference SEPAG Development SEPAG Formation SEPAG-District Collaboration Language English Spanish Office Hour SEPAG Support Office Hours: Upon Request Informal conversations to ask questions, brainstorm, and plan next steps together. Brief Family Brief: Reading is Everywhere Learn to recognize reading challenges hiding behind struggles in math, science, and beyond. Brief Family Brief: How Kids Learn to Read What the science of reading tells us about how children learn to read. Templates SEPAG Community Outreach for District Leaders Materials for districts to engage parents in SEPAG events and leadership opportunities. Activity, Guide Home Reinforcement Guide: Reading Comprehension Simple before, during, and after strategies to support your child's reading comprehension. Brief Family Brief: Choosing The Right Book How to tell whether a book is too hard, too easy, or just right. One-Pager What is a SEPAG? A one-pager to help you and others learn what SEPAGs are and why they matter. Tech Help Designing with Canva: FAQs for SEPAG Leaders Frequently asked questions about using Canva to support your SEPAG. One-Pager What is NJTSS? A Family Reference Sheet What the three tiers mean, how screening and progress monitoring work, and how families fit in Guide NJDOE Young Readers and Writers Family Guides (K-3) One-page guides with vocabulary, reading milestones, and at-home activities for each grade. Activity, Guide Home Reinforcement Guide: Everyday Literacy Moments Four strategies for turning everyday moments into reading and language learning opportunities. Templates SEPAG Community Outreach for Parent Leaders Ready-to-use materials for parent leaders to promote their group and encourage participation. 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Back to News Welcome to the CESP Team: Colin Sullivan Software developer and computing education researcher joins Rutgers CESP as AI Developer, bringing expertise in artificial intelligence, educational technology, and user-centered design. We’re excited to welcome Colin Sullivan to the CESP team. Drawing on a background in software development, artificial intelligence, and computing education, Colin is helping build innovative tools that make educational research and resources more accessible, actionable, and useful for educators and decision-makers. By Anna Lasek, Communications Assistant at Rutgers CESP We are excited to welcome Colin Sullivan as an AI Developer at Rutgers CESP! In this role, Colin has been working as an AI Developer on the Bridge project. His primary responsibility has been building a chatbot for users to use in the Bridge Portal. His focus on building technology solutions that enhance access to educational research, resources, and evidence-based practices by designing and implementing AI-enabled tools that make complex information more, bridging the gap between research and practice. In his work as an AI developer, Colin has gained new insight into the world of academia, educational policy, and mixed methods. He’s advanced his knowledge on domain specific skills while helping develop the Bridge Portal. His work draws on his background in software development, computing education, and artificial intelligence, with a particular interest in educational applications of AI, information retrieval systems, and the design of tools that support learning, collaboration, and informed decision-making. Starting this fall, Colin will be pursuing his master’s in computer science. This past May, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. Prior to joining CESP, Colin worked extensively in computing education at Rutgers University, supporting large-scale introductory computer science courses through curriculum development and instructional support. He has also contributed to computing education research and published work focused on innovative approaches to teaching and learning in computer science. After he completes his degree, he hopes to continue pursuing computing education research by earning a Ph.D. Outside of his contributions at CESP, Colin is a musician. He has played piano for 10 years, learned guitar, and the bass. He loves to play live when he gets the chance! Colin looks forward to expanding his skills in software while also learning more about educational policy and the world of academia. Please join us in giving Colin a warm welcome to the Rutgers CESP team! Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

OUR PEOPLE The Team at Rutgers CESP At Rutgers CESP, our strength lies within our people. In addition to a core team bringing decades of experience in research, evaluation, analytics, and project management, CESP has a rich network of collaborators to bring the right expertise to every area of our work. Dr. Cynthia L. Blitz, Ph.D. Executive Director & Research Professor Dr. Cynthia L. Blitz is the Executive Director of the Center for Effective School Practices (CESP) and a Research Professor at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education (RU-GSE). A nationally recognized leader in applied research and evaluation, Dr. Blitz focuses on advancing evidence-based practices that bridge the gaps among research, practice, and policy. Her work centers on generating new knowledge through high-quality research and evaluation and facilitating its application to practice and policy. She is committed to building the capacity of professional and organizations within and beyond the traditional boundaries of education. Widely regarded for her expertise with research-practice partnerships (RPPs) and professional learning communities (PLCs), Dr. Blitz frequently works to forge and maintain productive partnerships and promote the institutionalization of informed decision-making routines. Under Dr. Blitz’s leadership, Rutgers CESP has emerged as a premier applied translational research and evaluation center. She leads an agile team and maintains a rich network of collaborators to grow and carry out a diverse, multi-million-dollar portfolio of federal, state, and philanthropic grants and contracts. Dr. Blitz holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Applied Anthropology from American University. Her work has been featured in top academic journals and presented at national conferences, the International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, the American Journal of Public Health, and Education Sciences. View Dr. Blitz's Profile The Rutgers CESP Team Vivian Allen Associate Director Taylor Clough Research Associate Anna Lasek Communications Assistant David Amiel Research Analyst Solangel Troncoso Research Associate Colin Sullivan AI Developer Robert Zywicki Superintendent in Residence Iman Basit Research Analyst Monique Dujue Wilson Family Engagement Specialist Our Partners People Departments Organizations Districts Daryl Detrick CS Educator & Advocate Warren Hills Regional High School Maria Salinas Founder & CEO DES Group, LLC Teresa G. Duncan, Ph.D. President & Founder Deacon Hill Research Associates Fran P. Trees, D.P.S. Teaching Professor RU Department of Computer Science Danielle Morgenroth Asst. Principal, Curriculum & Learning Boonton Township Public Schools Itzhak Yanovitzky, Ph.D. Professor/Health and Wellness Chair RU SC&I Tara Rossi, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Sparta Township Public Schools Nedim Yel, Ph.D. Senior Statistician/Researcher Data Analysis & Statistical Solutions Data Analysis and Statistical Solutions National Alliance on Mental Illness, NJ Deacon Hill Research Associates Problem Solutions Dissemination Engagement Strategy Group, LLC The Arc of Ocean County George Street Playhouse Click the icons to view partner spotlights! New Jersey Bayonne School District Belleville Public Schools Belvidere School District Bogota Public School District Bound Brook School District Branchburg School District Buenna Regional School District Burlington Township School District Butler Publics Schools Carteret Public Schools Cedar Grove Public Schools Delsea Regional School District Discovery Charter School Dover Public School District Dunellen Public School District Englewood Public School District Fairhaven School District Fairview Public School District Fort Lee Public Schools Franklin Township Public Schools Garfield School District Haddon Heights School District Hillside Public Schools Keyport Borough School District Long Branch Public Schools Mercer County Technical Schools Middlesex Vocational Schools County Millstone Township School District Monroe Township School District Montclair Public Schools Morris Plans School District Mount Olive School District Ogdensburg School District Palisades Park School District Passaic Public Schools Paterson Public Schools Perth Amboy School District Phillipsburg School District Ramsey School District Randolph Township Shool District Red Bank School District Riverside Township School District Roosevelt Public Schools Roselle Park Public School District Salem City School District Secaucus School District Somerset Hills School District South Bergen Jointure Commission South Hunterdon School District Sparta Township Public School District Spotswood Public Schools Sussex County Educational Service Commission Tinton Falls School District Wathung Hill Regional Schools Weehawken Township School District West Amwell School District Wharton Borough Public Schools White Township Consolidated School District Willingboro Township Public Schools Pennsylvania Altoona Area School District Coatesville School District Erie School District Everett Area School District Forest Hills School District Greater Johnstown School District Huntingdon Area School District Indiana Area School District Lower Merion School District Meyersdale Area School Distric t Mifflin County School District North Pocono School District Northern Tioga School District Philadelphia School District Pottstown School District Ridgway Area School District Southern Tioga School District Titusville Area School District Wallingford-Swarthmore School District West Chester Area School District Windber Area School District Other States Delaware Appoquinimink School District Maryland Baltimore County Public Schools Caroll County Public Schools

NEWS & BLOG Monday, June 22, 2026 Welcome to the CESP Team: Iman Basit We’re excited to welcome Iman Basit to the CESP team. Drawing on experience in education, public policy, and workforce development, Iman brings expertise in data analysis, program evaluation, and translating research into actionable insights that support educators, school systems, and policymakers. Read More Monday, June 22, 2026 Welcome to the CESP Team: Colin Sullivan We’re excited to welcome Colin Sullivan to the CESP team. Drawing on a background in software development, artificial intelligence, and computing education, Colin is helping build innovative tools that make educational research and resources more accessible, actionable, and useful for educators and decision-makers. Read More Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Poster Highlight: School-Based Depression Screening Presented at the 2026 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, this poster examines the readiness of parents, educators, and mental health professionals to implement universal school-based depression screening. The findings offer insights into the opportunities, concerns, and resources needed to support student mental health through early identification and intervention. Read More Monday, January 19, 2026 Project BEACON Update The Biomedical Excellence Achieved through Coaching Networks (BEACON) is moving into its second year, and the research team has been busy building momentum across Rutgers. While results from the study are still ahead, the project is well underway and continuing to expand as researchers explore how professional coaching might support biomedical PhD students. Read More Monday, September 22, 2025 A New Way to Look at Online Math Platforms: Our Reference Sheets! The new "Math Platforms at a Glance" Reference Sheets give teachers a clear look at major digital math platforms like Khan Academy, IXL, and DreamBox. This free resource offers practical comparisons, classroom insights, and tips to find the best fit for every teaching style and purpose. Read More Load More

The Rutgers University Center for Effective School Practices is a research and evaluation center within the Graduate School of Education dedicated to excellence and integrity in research and evaluation across educational contexts for over 25 years. Excellence & Integrity in Research & Evaluation For over two decades, Rutgers CESP has connected a broad range of stakeholders to research evidence and best practices through authentic collaboration, high quality technical assistance, and real opportunities for growth and development. View Our Services See Our Work Read Our Research Get in Touch The Center for Effective School Practices Rutgers CESP is a research and evaluation center within the Graduate School of Education dedicated to facilitating the translation of research into best practices and building the capacity of the educational community through collaborative structures that capitalize on short-cycle improvement and ongoing evaluation. With over 25 years of expertise, Rutgers CESP has a record of excellence and integrity in research and evaluation across educational contexts. Research Drawing on expertise in study design, mixed methods research, and data analytics, Rutgers CESP regularly leads and collaborates on projects to output high-quality research. Evaluation With expertise in the application of many evaluation frameworks, Rutgers CESP partners with organizations to understand outcomes, drivers of success, and areas for growth. Education For over 25 years, Rutgers CESP has reached across educational contexts to facilitate collaboration, create learning opportunities, conduct educational audits, enrich practice, and more. Development Through strategic planning, needs assessments, project management, and more, Rutgers CESP is a strong partner in planning, implementation, scaling, and dissemination. Meaningful Projects Rutgers CESP's work cuts across levels and domains. From K-12 and higher education, workforce development, training programs, and beyond, our work has included computer science, public health, biomedical training, translational research, and more. Our center has a proven history of applying a deep understanding of best practices in research in education across contexts. As an agile team, we stand ready to respond to the evolving needs of our communities, our partners, and our society. See All Projects Biomedical Excellence Achieved through Coaching Networks (BEACON) National Institutes of Health Hypothesis-driven research examines the impact of individualized coaching on biomedical Ph.D. students in terms of short-term outcomes (e.g., self-efficacy, resilience, reduced anxiety, depression) and sustained positive effects (degree persistence, goal attainment, ease in career transitions, tangible scholarly outputs). Extending the CS Pipeline: Enhancing Rigor and Relevance in Middle School CS U.S. Department of Education Rutgers researchers are collaborating with partner schools and industry and education experts to develop and implement a technical assistance framework that involves tailored, purposeful professional learning in the integration and expansion of middle school computer science (CS), with a focus on universal access to computer science education. Employment, Development, Guidance, and Engagement (EDGE) Program Evaluation N.J. Commission for The Blind As the external evaluator, the center collaborates with EDGE stakeholders to assess the program’s efficacy and impact. The comprehensive evaluation involves detailed reviews of program implementation, mentor and staff engagements, student achievements, and overall outcomes. The BRIDGE Initiative, Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities N.J. Department of Education, OSE In partnership with the NJ Department of Education, The BRIDGE Initiative works to improve the engagement of parents and caregivers of students with disabilities by providing curated, actionable resources and technical assistance to educators and families. The Latest News Poster Spotlight Poster Highlight: School-Based Depression Screening Presented at the 2026 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, this poster examines the readiness of parents, educators, and mental health professionals to implement universal school-based depression screening. The findings offer insights into the opportunities, concerns, and resources needed to support student mental health through early identification and intervention. Read More Project Update Project BEACON Update The Biomedical Excellence Achieved through Coaching Networks (BEACON) is moving into its second year, and the research team has been busy building momentum across Rutgers. While results from the study are still ahead, the project is well underway and continuing to expand as researchers explore how professional coaching might support biomedical PhD students. Read More Now Available! A New Way to Look at Online Math Platforms: Our Reference Sheets! The new "Math Platforms at a Glance" Reference Sheets give teachers a clear look at major digital math platforms like Khan Academy, IXL, and DreamBox. This free resource offers practical comparisons, classroom insights, and tips to find the best fit for every teaching style and purpose. Read More See All News Informed Services Rutgers CESP is your trusted partner for work that matters . The dynamic, cross-cutting nature of Rutgers CESP's work makes our center an excellent partner in many scenarios. At the heart of all our services lies authentic collaboration, ensuring there is meaning and purpose to our work, and fostering and maintaining open and honest channels of communication. If you are interested in partnering with us on your next project, big or small, or are looking for more information on any of our services, please reach out ! We look forward to learning more and moving forward, together. Our research and evaluation work generates new knowledge through rigorous investigations and enables informed decision-making. We also welcome partners for research projects/grants. Grant Services Program Evaluation Research Project Partnerships Research & Evaluation Design Research & Evaluation Partner with experts to uncover knowledge and insight through high-impact studies. Learn More Our development services empower educators, leaders, and professionals through targeted, flexible learning opportunities. Professional Development Leadership Development Educator Learning PLC/Collaboration Facilitation Data-Use Capacity Evidence-based Decision Making Development & Training Build capacity through customized training and professional growth. Learn More With educational audits, we offer a wide array of services to understand educational access, participation, and outcomes. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Response to Intervention (RTI) Program Audits Scheduling Graduation Rates & Pathways Curriculum Audits Educational Audits Understand the efficacy of educational programs and their impacts on learners. Learn More We deliver robust data analysis and interpretation, grounded in rigorous methodology and effective communication. Case Studies Data Analysis Statistical Methods & Design Interpretation & Action Data & Analytics Transform data into clear, actionable insights with purposeful and rigorous methods. Learn More We collaborate with clients to plan, implement, sustain, and scale high-impact work through tailored support and guidance. Needs Assessments Strategic Planning Grant Planning Program Conceptualization Policy Implementation Support Communication & Dissemination Strategy Planning & Implementation Understand the efficacy of educational programs and their impacts on learners. Learn More If your project doesn’t fit within our listed services, we’re still here to help. Reach out to discuss how we can support your goals. Custom Solutions Collaborate with us for solutions tailored to your unique needs. One size does not fit all. Contact Us

Back to Our People Iman Basit Research Analyst e : p : ib332@scarletmail.rutgers.edu (732) 564-9100 x10 Download CV Education : MPP, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University BS, Economics & Political Science, Lahore University of Management Sciences Affiliations : Biographical Highlights Iman Basit is a Research Analyst at the Rutgers University Center for Effective School Practices (CESP), where she contributes to applied research, data visualization, and program evaluation initiatives that support educational improvement. Her work focuses on bridging research and practice by developing dashboards and data tools, supporting mixed-methods studies, and translating findings into actionable resources for educators and school system leaders. At CESP, Iman collaborates with researchers and practitioners to ensure that data and evidence are accessible, relevant, and directly useful for decision-making. She is particularly interested in how data systems and research can be leveraged to improve educational outcomes and strengthen pathways from education to the workforce. Prior to joining CESP, Iman worked at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, where she analyzed large-scale administrative data from the New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) to examine postsecondary and workforce outcomes. She has also contributed to policy-focused work at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington (OSSE), DC, and the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL), supporting initiatives related to early learning and workforce program investments. Iman holds a dual Master of Public Policy and Public Informatics from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan.

Back to Our People Iman Basit Research Analyst e : p : ib332@scarletmail.rutgers.edu (732) 564-9100 x10 Education : MPP, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University BS, Economics & Political Science, Lahore University of Management Sciences Iman Basit is a Research Associate at the Rutgers University Center for Effective School Practices (CESP), where she contributes to applied research, data visualization, and program evaluation initiatives that support educational improvement. Her work focuses on bridging research and practice by developing dashboards and data tools, supporting mixed-methods studies, and translating findings into actionable resources for educators and school system leaders. At CESP, Iman collaborates with researchers and practitioners to ensure that data and evidence are accessible, relevant, and directly useful for decision-making. She is particularly interested in how data systems and research can be leveraged to improve educational outcomes and strengthen pathways from education to the workforce. Prior to joining CESP, Iman worked at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, where she analyzed large-scale administrative data from the New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) to examine postsecondary and workforce outcomes. She has also contributed to policy-focused work at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington (OSSE), DC, and the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL), supporting initiatives related to early learning and workforce program investments. Iman holds a dual Master of Public Policy and Public Informatics from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan.

The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More There’s a Science to Reading. Here's What Parents Need to Know Belal Jonaid, Research Communications Specialist As literacy scores decline nationwide, many schools are turning to the Science of Reading to rethink how children learn to read. This piece explains the research behind the approach, what it looks like in classrooms, and how parents can reinforce key reading skills at home. Return to Blog Schools across the United States are struggling with declining literacy rates, with experts in recent years reporting the largest score decline in literacy since 1990 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022). Indeed reading can feel overwhelming for younger students and a growing body of research suggests previous approaches to how we teach reading may not be the most effective. In place of older strategies, researchers have put forward a new evidence-based framework often referred to as the Science of Reading. What is the Science of Reading and how can it impart crucial reading skills more effectively? How We Learn to Read The Science of Reading is an approach to literacy instruction based on a large body of research in education, cognitive science, and linguistics. This method of instruction is grounded in five core concepts, detailed below (National Center on Improving Literacy, 2022). Phonemic Awareness : The ability of children to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds (phonemes) of spoken words. This skill allows students to understand that words are made of discrete sounds made by individual letters. As such, phonemic awareness forms the basis for phonics instruction. Phonics : Phonics is instruction on the relationship between letters and groups of letters (graphemes) to make sounds. Teaching kids that letters and letter groups create specific sounds which we can blend together allows for decoding and word recognition. Fluency : Fluency here refers to reading that reflects understanding. Besides displaying accuracy, this often means reading words and sentences at an appropriate rate and with meaningful expression and intonation. It therefore encompasses far more than just speed. Vocabulary : Proficiency with vocabulary in this context is knowledge of what different words mean as well as understanding how they are used. A Science of Reading approach treats vocabulary not just as an isolated list of terms to memorize, but as a complex and evolving system of word knowledge built over time. Comprehension : This is of course the ultimate goal of reading. Students who achieve comprehension can actively construct meaning from text by decoding and being familiar with vocabulary (National Center on Improving Literacy, 2022). Altogether these five concepts are based on the idea that we learn to read best through a cumulative code-based approach. Instead of simply guessing with context clues or using rote memorization, students are systematically taught to identify and blend the fundamental building blocks of words to build understanding. In the Classroom It might be helpful to also go over what the Science of Reading is not. This method is not a specific product or program one can purchase or enroll in. Similarly it is not just phonics, but rather an approach that uses phonemic awareness and phonics as a crucial base for further development. In proposing a set of methods, it is also not complete. The Science of Reading can thus best be seen as a set of insights developed over time, informed by both established and ongoing research in a number of disciplines (National Center on Improving Literacy, 2022). In practice, this translates to more explicit instruction in the classroom centered around phonological routines. Students are clearly told what will be covered before they begin recognizing and sounding out certain letters and words. Resources like decodable books testing only previously learned sounds and vocabulary help reinforce these skills. Since the Science of Reading favors a cumulative approach, these basic building blocks help pave the way for greater skills such as fluency and comprehension (Reading Rockets, n.d., Science of Reading). Supporting Your Child’s Reading Reading is a journey and parents play a key role. Understanding some of the basics behind a Science of Reading approach can help instill strong reading habits at home. Practicing phonemic awareness, building new vocabulary, and encouraging comprehension as a goal, for example, are all ways parents can engage with their children as they learn to read. Communication with a child’s instructors can also ensure parents stay up-to-date and prepared to reinforce key skills learned in the classroom. With consistent practice in the right areas, every student can become a confident and lifelong reader. _____ References National Center for Education Statistics. (2022). Reading and mathematics scores decline during COVID‐19 pandemic. National Center on Improving Literacy. (2022). The science of reading: An overview. https://www.improvingliteracy.org/resource/the-science-of-reading-an-overview Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Science of reading. ReadingRockets.org. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://www.readingrockets.org/classroom/evidence-based-instruction/science-reading Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey